Needle mechanism



Sept. -27, 192?.

J. P. WEIS NEEDLE MECHANISM Original Filed June 28, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet l M r/Z07 u/QTZJLP 21 365 J. P. W515 NEEDLE MECHANISM- Original Filed June 28, 1921 3 .v w k w A p 1,643,595 Sept. 27,1921.

NEEDLE rmcmmxsu Original Filed June 28, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1,643,595 Sept. 21, 1921. was

NEEDLE MECHANISM Original Filed June 28. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES}, PATENT ornce.

JOHN P. WEIS, or NYACK, new YORK, ASSIGNOR TO METROPOLITAN snwmc MACHINE CORPORATION, or NYAGK, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

. NEEDLE MEC HANISML Original application fi led il une 28, 1921, Serial No. 431,032. Divided and this application filed December '1, 1925. Serial No. 72,427.

This invention relates to sewing machines, more particularly to'the needle mechani'sm thereof, an object thereof being to provide an improved needle mechanism having improvedmeans for imparting to the needles a jzig-zag movement and improved means for guiding and controlling the thread to such needles." i 'i A further, object of this invention is the provision of a sewing machine having improved means for vibrating the needle mechanism andin which the construction is such that the driving means therefor may be 'utilized for operating across stitch'mechanism for laying a thread in the path of the needles on top of the work; the present "application being a division of'my ,co-pending application filed June 28, 1921, Serial No. 181,032.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein like refer ,ence characters indicate corresponding parts in the several views and wherein Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the sewing machin'e with the transmitter and treadle connected for operating the same; Fig. 2 is an end view of the needle bar operating mechanism, portions of the needle bar bushings, oil cup and needle bar being broken away to clearly show the construction, and a portion of the overhanging arm and crank shaft shown in broken lines; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the rotary top stitch forming mechanism, the machine frame and cylinder being shown in broken lines; Fig. 4 is an end viewfof the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, the crank shaft and the frame of the machine being indicated in broken lines; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the presser foot ana ram mechanism carried thereby, taken on lines 5-5 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the ar rows; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of thepresser foot and stitch forming mechanism carried thereby taken on lines 6-6 of-Figa i; Fig, 7 is a side elevation partly in section'of the needle vibrating mechanism for making zigag stitches, the needle bar being shown as pivotally mounted in the head ofthe machine for swinging, angular, and reciprocatory movement, the frame and cylinder being indicated in broken lines; Fig.8 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7', the

crank shaft and frame of the machine 'bein indicated in broken lines; Fig. 9 is an end view of the mechanism for imparting zig Zagmovements to the needle bar atright angles to its'line of vertical reciprocation,

and Fig. 1 Ois aside iew of a part of the machine, 1 v p Before explaining in d t fl th present improvement and'mode of Operation thereof,

it is desiredto have it understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement ofparts' which are-illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments,- and that the 'phra'seolo y which is employed is for the purpose of cescriptionand not of limitation.

The present machine-is mounted upon a suitable table 1 and comprises amachine frame of any suitable construction'having flanges 2 and '3 for supporting and securmg the machine to the table. The main portion of the frame is preferably of hollow rectangular construction and the front wall 4 of the frame is provided with a boss 11 bored to receive a cylinder12. This cylinder 12 has a detachable-end cap 343 and this cylinder carries the looper 'mecha-nism and feed bar. one of the loopers being indicated at 312. The sidewall 13 of the frame is provided with a boss'14: for receiving one of the crank shaft bushings 15, the opposite side wallhaving secured thereto a suitable belt guard 22 which covers the driving belt '23.- Mounted in'suitable bearings of the frame isa transversely extending crank shaft- 62, 63. This crank shaft is provided with a' clutch wheel 93 located adJacerit to the cover plate 22 over which passes the belt '23 of the transmitter. The'power transmitter for the-machineis designated generally at A and is securedto the bottom of the table 1. The power't-ransmitter is driven from any suitable line shaft, and comprises suitable clutch mechanism controlled from a fioor treadle 159. Afurther detailed description of the power transmitter mechanism and the crank shaft mechanism is not deemed necessary herein since the same is fully described in my above mentioned. copending application.

Projecting from the front wall 4 is an overhanging arm 32 terminating in the needle bar and presser foot bearing 33. This overhanging arm 32 is provided with suitable bearings 37 and 38 for the needle operating rock shaft 39. Secured to the forward end of the rock shaft 39 by screws 40 is a needle bar operating arm 41. The end of the shaft 39 is tapped to receive a' screw 42 and a thrust washer 43 thereby to prevent end movement of the arm 41 on the shaft 39. At the outer end of the arm 41 by means of a'joint pin 44 is secured a link 45, the bottom end thereof being connected by means of a joint pin 46 to an end piece 47 tapped into the needle. bar 48 and clampedwith a lock nut 49. The needle bar is hollow and the lower end is tapped to receive the needle holder 50 which carries the needles 51. The needle bar is provided with two openings 52, the upper one being an inlet and the lower one an outlet for oil for the purpose of internally oiling the upper and lower needle bar bushings, 53 and 54.

Secured to the top of the upper bushing 54 is an oil cup 55 provided with a felt oiler, carrying sufficient lubricant for the needle bar, but preventing the oil from dripping and soiling the goods. An intermediate felt oiler 56 is provided between the two bushings. These felt oilers wipe the needle bar in its reciprocating movement, keeping it clean and properly lubricated.

To the rear end of the rock shaft 39, adjacent to the bearing 37 is secured a crank arm 57 and ball stud 58, to which is connected the upper end of a ball connection 59. The lower end 60 also has a ball socket to fit over the ball 61 of the crank shaft.

The cross stitch mechanism for. laying a thread in the path of the needles on top of the work, in alternating loop form is an improvement over the mechanism described in my Patent Number 1,464,377 dated August 7, 1923, for sewing machines. In the present machine however improved'mechanism for driving the gears in the presser foot is provided over my aforesaid patent, and the presser foot is hinged to yield from front to rear in the direction of the feed of the goods in order to ride more freely over seams and uneven thicknesses of work.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3to 6 inelusive, the mechanism comprises a driving gear 483 carried by the crank shaft. This driving gear meshes with a similar gear 484 of equal diameter secured to a shaft 485 by screws 486. These gears are located within the machine frame and the shaft 485 is given aro'tary movement thereby. The shaft is supported in the rear bearing 487 and in the forward bearing 488, the bearings being setube in order to insert the bearings 487 and 488 for the shaft. This construction has the advantage of reducing the friction of the shaft and provides adequate space 490 for lubricant, which is supplied automatically, to pass from one bearing to the other. The forward end of the shaft carries a thread controller 491 adjustably secured thereto by the screw 492. The thread controller operates on the. topthread as it is conducted 5 from the supply to the presser foot and is fully described in my aforesaid patent.

Adjacent to the forward end of the bearing 488 is located a gear 493 secured to the shaft 485 by screws 494. This gear is in .mesh with a gear 495 of equal diameter se cured by screws 496 to the upper end of a vertical rotary operating shaft 497 for the rotary cross thread mechanism. This shaft is located in the hollow or tubular presser bar 183 and has a bearing 498 in the upper But by casting the end of the tube or bar 183 and a bearing 499 in the lower end of the tube. Intermediate these bearings the shaft is reduced in diameter as at 500 to increase the flexibility of the shaft and to reduce friction. The presser bar or tube reeiprocates vertically in the bushing 187 and is controlled by guides 185 and 186. The lower end 502 of the presser tube 183 is counterbored vertically at 503 to receive a coil spring 501. The top portion of the coil spring rests against the shoulder formed by the counterbore and the lower end rests against a flange 504 formed as a part of the shaft 497. Projecting from the flange is a semi-circular key 505 which fits into a semi-circular key hole provided in a 506 inmesh with an intermediate gear 507 rotating on the stem 508 of the screw 509. The intermediate gear .507 is'in mesh with and drives a ring gear 511 which carries a rotary circular plate 512 provided with up standing thread carrying lugs 513 for forming loops in the top thread. Co-acting with the lugs is a cast-off 514, integral with the ring 515. The ring gear 511 rotates in a socket in the presser foot, and the overhanging head 510 of the screw 509 impinges upon the flange of the ring 515 to hold the ring gear in position. This screw also acts as a pivot for the intermediate gear and as a locking means for the bottom 517, provided with beveled edges fitting into the presser foot 516, the stem 508 entering the hole 518 in the bottom 517. Thus the rotary cross thread carrier 512 having its axis substantially holder feed, ruiner, or

present improvement 1t 1s utilized for op-' alined with the axis of the needle bar is provided with projecting lugs 513 movable in a continuous, circular,-or rotary path around the needles. These lugs are adapted to engage the thread from the thread guide 526 (hereinafter described) and carry't-he same to a loop formingposition, the cast-olfmemher 514 being effective at the desiredtimes tocast off the thread from the loop forming lugs. I

The presser foot 51-6 is hinged to a yoke 7 522 by shoulder screws 521, one arm of the yoke being connected at 519 and the other arm at 520 to the sides of the presser foot, enabling the presser foot to rock slightly on the screws. Each of the arms has an overhanging shoulder 523 to contact with and limit the rocking movement of the presser foot. Theyohe 522 is clamped tothe presser tube or bar 183 by a screw 524;-pas:- ingthrough the slotted rear walls, a space 525 permitting the heel of the foot to rise slightly when passing over seams. An eye 526 formed in one of the arms of the presser foot yoke guides the top thread into position for stitching formation, the same being preferably located to one side and slightly to the rear of a needle.

The object of the spring 501 acting be tween the shoulder503 and the flange 50% is to give a slight downward pressure to the shaft 497 and hold the gear 495 in proper relation with the gear 493 to yield downwardly when a' seam is passing underv the toeof the preseer foot, and to yield upwardly when a scam is passing under the heel of the foot. A more detailed description of the rotary cross stitch forming mechanism carried by the presser foot is deemed unnecessary since the same is fully described in my aforesaid Patent No. l,46 l,3' 77 dated August 7, 1923.

This cross stitch driving mechanism is also useful for operating a trimmer, top other attach-mentsand in the erating a Zig-zag needle. I 3

The zigzag stitching mechanism cooperates with the looper mechanism, two forms of vibrating needle mechanisms being herein shown, one thereof swinging ona horizontal center located approximately mid-way be tween the ends of the needle bar, so as to rev-ring upon the center to space the stitches as desired, the other comprising a right an gle slide adapted to vibrate the needle and needle bar at right angles to the direction of the reciprocation. For certain classes of work the rignt angle movement is superior to the swinging movement, the swinging movement however being capable of a higher speed and therefor superior for light materials where a'narrow vibration or bight of "stitch is suitable.

Referring to Figs. 7 to *91inclusive, in order to vibrate the needle the same gearing construction as shown and descrihedin con the cam, the fork being carried by the arm 531 which extends downwardly and is scured at by screws to the boss of the swinging bearing=535. The swinging bearing 535 is bored to receive the lower and upper bushings 53 and 5 f (Fig. for guid- 5 111g the needle bar 48, and has a tapered circular disc 536 ntegral-therewith which is seated in a circular socket formed in the face 538 of the head 33 of the machine 4: urame.

One-half of the circular socket is formed with a beveled circular plate 5395ccured by screws 5450, so that the swinging bearing may rock therein and be secured against :lhakc or lost motion;

- The second form of mechanism for vi-" brating the needle above mentioned com prises "a shoulder screw 541 and a block 542 supported by it and operating in an elon gated slot 543 of the arm 531. The lower end of the arm carries a shoulder screw 544 7 to which is connected the arm 545 of the right angle dove-tailed slide 546. The slide is integral with a needle bar bearing 547 carrying the bushings 53 and 5&1 for guiding the needle bar. This dove-tailed slide 5 46 is guided by a beveled edge plate 548 which is secured by screws 54-9 to the wall 538 of the end bearing 33 ofv the machine frame. The right angle slide construction permits the needle bar to be shifted laterally while it-reciprocates in avertical plane. The link connection with its joint pins lea- 1d 16 permits either right angle movement orv swinging movement as the case ;ma v be. The extent of the movement of the needle bar may be varied by substituting cams 5 27 of different throws. From the foregoing it will be seen that I have produceda very simple mechanism for making ornamental stitches of Zig-Zag form by giving right line i or angular movements toa reciprocating needle bar and at the same time a portion of the operating means may be usedt'o equal advantage for operating an ornamental cross thread stitch forming mechanism.

For the top needle thread control a bracket 409 is"attachec l to the top of the cover'plate'f, Fig. 1, which carries suitable tensions 410, three innulnbeig'and the loo tension on the threads. A. pin 412 carried by the bracket 409 extends into a. U-shaped opening in the bottom of the tension plates to prevent; their turning on the center studs 411, while the upper ends have a pin 413 carried by one of the outside plates and extending freely through the intermediate plate and the usual outside plate, permitting the plates to be separated for inserting the threads between them. The object of this pin 413 is to prevent the threads from be ing withdrawn from between the plates when they are drawn upward for the purpose of providing slack thread at the end of each stitching operation. The threads 414 are conducted from the supply through the guide eyes 41:5 of the bracket 409 in be tween the two outside and intermediate ten- .sion plates 410, and through. the guide eyes 416 in the right-angled bent end 206 of the thread pull-off lever 205. Thence they are conducted through the guide eyes 418 of a stationary eyelet also secured to the bracket 409 adjacent to the guide plates 207, which straddles the free-end of the lever 205 to guide it in its movements.

A thread guide 417 is attached at its forward end to an angle bracket 419 secured to the top portion of the frame. The threads enter eyelets in the end 420 of the thread guide 417 which is slotted forming troughs for the threads throughout its length, except for the thread holes 421 at the forward end from which the threads emerge and are led to thread eyes 422 of a thread carrier 423 carried by the end 424 of the link pin 46. From the thread eyes 422 the threads pass downward in through the eyes of the needles 51.

As a result of this mechanism for controlling and guiding the top thread from the supply to the needles an almost perfect control is obtained, and at no time during the stitch forming cycle or movement of the parts does the thread become slack or out of control. The relation of the guide eyelets with the end of the trough shaped thread guide 417 is such that the threads are entirely protected by passing through the thread trough guide from the thread eyes at 420 to the thread eyes at The space from the thread eyes at 421 to the thread eyes at 422 permits a slight take-up action to the thread, which is desirable due to the fact that the thread carrier 423 is reciprocated with the needle bar, the thread eyes 422 thus having a reciprocatory movement relative to the stationary thread eyelets 421. One advantage of the trough shaped thread guide 417, extending lengthwise of the arm 32 of the machine frame, resides in the fact that it enables the operator to place articles that are being stitched or have been stitched, such as shoe uppers and the like, up over the head 33' and permit them to rest on the arm be removed from the cylinder 12and the arm 32 at the same time, thus reducing to a minimum the frequency of lifting the presser foot and breaking the stitches extending from one piece to another. As a result the machine may be kept in more con-..

tinuous operation, one piece of goods being stitched directly after another, and without stopping the machine until a large number of pieces have been completed. Thereupon by raising the presser foot and breaking the threads, all of the work may be removed at one time. The overhanging arm 32 and the head 33 are so constructed that very small articles may be passed over these parts, as well as over the cylinder 12. Another advantage of this construction is that the line of vision of the operator is not obstructed, permitting the inspection of the work immediately as it feeds from under the presser foot, during the operation of the machine.

It is to be understood that by describing in detail herein any particular form, structure or arrangement, it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims or the requirements of the prior art.

Having thus explained the nature of my said invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the modes of its use, I claim:

1. Ina sewing machine, the combination of a machine frame having an overhanging arm, a pair of shafts carried thereby, one a rock shaft and the other a rotary shaft, means including a crank shaft located transversely to said shafts for driving said shafts, a needle carrying bar connected with the rock shaft, and means for vibrating the needle bar and connected with said rotary shaft.

2. In a sewing machine, the combination of a machine frame having an overhanging arm, a pair of shafts of substantially the same length carried thereby and projecting beyond the ends of said arm one a rock shaft and the other a rotary shaft, means including a crank shaft located transversely III to said shafts for driving said shafts, a

arm, a pair, of shafts of substantially, the same length, carried, thereby lengthwise thereof, and-projecting beyond the, ends of said arm, means including a crankishaft 10 cat-ed transversely to saidcshafts for driving said-shafts, aneedlecarrying bar connected with one ofsaid shafts, and camming means controlled by the other of said pair ofs'hafts at the forward end thereof and cooperating withsaid needle bar for vibrating thesame.

In av sewing machine, the combination of a, machine I frame having an overhanging arm, a pair of shaftscarried. thereby, one a; rock-shaft, means includin acrank shaft locatedtransversely. to .said hafts, for driv ing'saidcshafts, a needle carrying. bar connected with the rock shaft, and camming means controlled by. the.- other of said pair of shafts and cooperating with ,said needle bar for vibrating the same, saidca-mming meansinclnding means pivota'lly located intermediate the ends, of the. needle bar to in,- sure the proper spacing of the stitches.

5;. In a sewing-machine having an overhanging arm, the-combination ofa shaft carried by. and, extending lengthwise of said arnnmeans for drivingsaid shaft, a needle carry-ingbar, means, for reciprocating said bar and camming means located at the end of said,- shaft: and cooperating with said needle bar for vibrating; the same.

6. In a sewing machine having; an overhanging arm, the combination. of a" shaft carried by and extendinglengthwise ofsaid arm,.meansrfor driving said shaft, a needle carrying bar, means for reciprocating; said needle bar, and cammin'g means carried by said shaft and:cooperating withsaid needle bar for vibrating; the same, saidcamming means including means locatedintermediate the ends of the needle bar for swinging the same to space thestitches p 7, Ina sewingmachine having an overhanging arm, the combination of a shaft'carried by and extending lengthwise of'said arm,.means-.for driving-raid shaft, a needle carryingbar, means for reciprocat-ingsaid bar, a; cam 1, carried adjacent, to the front end of said; shaft and means cooperating with said cam and: including aswinging member connected, tosaid needle bar for, vi-

brating the same. 8. In a sewing machine having an overhanging; arm, the combination of a drive 'shaft, a shaft carried by said arm, a presser foot bar and a p-resser foot supported thereby, a rock shaft carried by said arm and 0perated from said drive shaft, a needle carrying bar connected to said rockshaft for reciprocating movement, and camming means carried by said second shaft and cooperating with said needle bar for vibrating the same.

9. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, the combination of a needle carrying bar, means for reciprocating said needlebar, a rotary shaft carried in and extendingjlengthwise of saidarm', means; for

rotating said shaft, and camn' ing 'me'ans' carriedE at, thiel forward end of. said shaft and connected with said needle bar for vibrating the same. t

,10. In sewing machine having an overhanging arnn the combination ofa pair of shafts, one a r'otaryshaft andthe other a rock Shaftcarried by and extending length- Wise of 1 said arm, a crank shaft 1 in proximity to the; end of said rock shaft for, operating saidrock shaft, an, oscillating. arm con"- nected tosaid rock shaft, va needle baboon} nectedv to, saidoscillating arm andreciprojcated thereby, andjmea'lisconne'cted to the rotarytshaft for laterally shifting said needle bar 11. In ,aseiving'n hinejha'vin an o er, hanging, arm, ,thej'combination o, la. pa r; f shafts}: (meg arotary shaftfand' theother a rockshaft carried by, and'extending'. Length- Wisev of said arm, a crankshaft at right angles and in proximity to the end', off said rock shaft, for 7' operating s'aicl, 1ock5-shaft, an; oscillating arm connectedtov said rock shaft, a needle 'bar. connected to saidloscillatin arm and; recipro'catedi thereby, and

means for vibrating"thefneedle bar and-i111 clnding an overhanging; rotary shaft and means: operated-byv saidoverhanging rotary I shaft andiconnecte'd with the-needlehan, 13, In a sewing machine, the combination of, a drive shaft, a-rock; shafti operated there: by, an oscillating ,arm,connected to saidfrock shaft, a reciprocating needle bar, a link pivlotally connecting said oscillating arm and needle ban and. effective to permit either; a movement at. right angles :to'the path of reciprocation, of" the "needle bar or. a; swinging movement, to the, needle bar, c and Y means for vibrating. the; needlebar and including} an overhanging, rotary. shaft and" camming means operated by said overhanging rotary shaft-and connected with the needle bar.

14. In a sewing machine, the combination of a machine frame having an overhanging arm, a pair of shafts carried thereby, one a rock shaft, means for driving said shafts, an oscillating arm connected tothe rock shaft, a reciprocating needle bar, a link pivotally connecting said needle bar to the osloo cillating arm to permit either a movement of the needle bar or a swinging movement to the needle bar, and camming means carried by the other of said pair of shafts and.

at right angles to the path of reciprocation of the needle bar or a swinging movement to the needle bar, and cammmg means carried by the other of said pair of shafts and cooperating with said needle bar for vibrating the same, said camming means including centering means located intermediate the ends of the needle bar for swinging the same to space the stitches.

16. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, the combination of a shaft carried by and extending lengthwise of said arm, means including a two to one gearing for driving said shaft, a needle carrying bar, means for reciprocating said bar, and camming means carried by said shaftv and coop crating with the needle bar for vibrating the same; a

17. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, the combination of a shaft carried by and extending lengthwise of said arm, means for driving said shaft, a needle carrying bar, camming means operated by said shaft and cooperating with the needle bar for vibrating the same and comprising a triangular shaped cam carried by said shaft, a forked member cooperating with said cam and connected with the needle bar, and means for supporting the needle bar on said arm for vibratory movement.

18. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, the combination of a shaft carried by and extending lengthwise of said arm, means for driving said shaft, a'needle carrying bar, camming means operated by said shaft and cooperating with the needle bar for vibrating the same and comprising a triangular shaped cam carried by said shaft, a forked member cooperating with said cam and connected with the needle bar, and means for supporting the needle bar on and connected with the needle bar for Vibrating the needle bar.

20. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, a pair of shafts carried by and extending lengthwise of said arm, means for driving said shafts, a needle carrying bar, means connected with one of said shafts for reciprocating the needle bar, camming means carried by the other of said shafts and connected with the needle bar intermediate its ends. for vibrating the needle bar.

21. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, a pair of shafts carried by and extending lengthwise of said arm, means for driving said shafts, a needle carrying bar, means connected with one of said shafts for reciprocating the needle bar and means including a changeable cam carried by the other of said shafts and connected with the needle bar intermediate its ends for vibrating the needle bar. I

22. In a sewing'machine having an overhanging arm, a pair of shafts carried by and extending lengthwise of said arm, means for operating said pair of shafts and including gearing partly carried by one of said pair of shafts, stitching mechanism including a needle carrying bar, means connecting said needle bar with one of said-shafts for reciprocating it and including an oscillating arm and a link pivot-ally connecting saidneedle bar and arm to permit either a movement at right angles to the reciprocating path of the needle bar or a swinging movement to the needle bar and including camming means carried by said gear carrying shaft, and means also connected with the gear carrying shaft for operating the stitching mechanism to make an ornamental stitch.

Signed at Nyack, New York, this 27th day of November, 1925.

JOHN P. WEIS. 

